Zhijin County

Zhijin County is a county under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Bijie in west-central Guizhou province, China.

History
Zhijin has been inhabited since the Qin, populated mainly by the Gelao. After the Jin, the Yi moved in. During the Kangxi Era of the Qing, a city was founded named Pingyuan. In 1914, it was renamed Zhijin after one of its streets.

Administrative divisions
Zhijin County is divided into 6 subdistricts, 16 towns, 3 townships and 7 ethnic townships:


 * ethnic townships:
 * Ziqiang Miao Ethnic Township 自强苗族乡
 * Daping Miao and Yi Ethnic Township 大平苗族彝族乡
 * Guanzhai Miao Ethnic Township 官寨苗族乡
 * Chadian Bouyei, Miao and Yi Ethnic Township 茶店布依族苗族彝族乡
 * Jinlong Miao, Yi and Bouyei Ethnic Township 金龙苗族彝族布依族乡
 * Houzhai Miao Ethnic Township 后寨苗族乡
 * Jichang Miao, Yi and Bouyei Ethnic Township 鸡场苗族彝族布依族乡

Geography
Zhijin County is located in the southeastern part of Bijie City, roughly in the middle of Guizhou province. It is 151 km from Guiyang, 95 km from Anshun, 129 km from Bijie City. It spans 82.5 km from East to West, and 66 km from North to South. Its total area is 2868 km2.

Karst topography dominates the landscape, with caves everywhere. The Zhijin Cave 22 km from the county seat is considered the most magnificent cave in China, and is a popular tourist spot.

The highest point in the county has altitude 2262 m, and the lowest 1319 m.

Climate
The average temperature is 14.7 c, with annual rainfall 1391 mm.

Economy
The most important industry is tourism, with Zhijin Cave the number one attraction drawing tourists from all over China and the world.

Demographics
There are 23 ethnic groups living in Zhijin, including Han Chinese, Miao, Yi, Hui and Buyei. 48.02％ of Zhijin's population are considered minorities in China.